Se devoir?

GC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Se devoir?

Can someone please explain the use of 'se doit' in the following sentence which conveys the meaning "ought to":

"qui se doit d'être à la fois élégant et extraordinaire" 

I can't find any reference anywhere to devoir in the pronominal form....or am I totally on the wrong track here with 'devoir' ?

Asked 4 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi G,

The expression 'se devoir de faire quelque chose' means, to be duty-bound to do something.

e.g.

Le gouvernement se doit d'être honnête et efficace pendant cette crise = The government is duty-bound to be honest and efficient during this crisis

So in the exercise example, it simply means, it has to be.

Hope this helps!

GC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thank you Cécile :-)

Se devoir?

Can someone please explain the use of 'se doit' in the following sentence which conveys the meaning "ought to":

"qui se doit d'être à la fois élégant et extraordinaire" 

I can't find any reference anywhere to devoir in the pronominal form....or am I totally on the wrong track here with 'devoir' ?

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